Career Detour: Going Solo (When a Career Coach Could Help!)

Last week I posted some thoughts on an ABC News article about finding the right career coach. At the risk of seeming like I’m trying to promote myself, I want to go a little deeper into the idea of asking for help when your career is in transition, or if you feel stuck in your current career.

Finding a career is not as easy as you might think. There’s more to it than communicating your background and experience on a resume. I meet with some clients that are smarter than the average Joe, yet their struggle is they rely on their ability to think smart simply because it has helped them in the past.

But that’s not how it works.

For example, I would never dream of thinking I could walk into another career focus without realizing that – by not asking for help – I might make a mess out of putting together a cost analysis for an organization, much less presenting it effectively. My point is this: the career transition process is a different skill set than what most have been trained in.

And yet we don’t ask for help. Why?

Often because we don’t want to spend the money. So why is it that we hire a realtor? A personal trainer? A financial advisor? Because we want to make the best investment with our time, energy and resources, right? The truth is that working with a career expert to land your career pays for the house, the gym instructor, as well as your long-term investments. As a career coach, I have an expertise that I’ve developed over many years of schooling and backed up with on-the-job career application. When it comes to developing, managing and implementing an effective job search, I can help.

So whether it’s me or someone else, I can’t stress enough the importance of getting help and not relying on yourself!